Parlour Gin Wins

Eau Claire Distillery’s Parlour Gin Wins Three International Awards Including San Francisco World Spirits Silver Medal

Alberta’s original craft distillery, Eau Claire Distillery has won at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, considered to be the most influential spirits competition in the world.

From more than 1,850 spirits, the largest number in the competition’s 16-year history, Parlour Gin received the Silver Medal in the gin category. The distillery has also won Canada Gin Distillery of the Year at the Berlin International Spirits Competition, where Parlour Gin was also named third overall gin internationally across 22 countries. The San Francisco World Spirits win will be included as one of top medal winners in the May 2016 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine.

One of the most reliable and universal indications of spirits excellence, a San Francisco World Spirits medal has become a recognized affirmation of high quality. The win by Eau Claire Distillery at the prestigious competition conveys Parlour Gin is among the finest spirits in the world.

"The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the most influential in the industry and winning a medal here is very meaningful," says competition director Anthony Dias Blue. "We have the industry's most respected experts serving as judges, and every entry is blind-tasted under highly focused conditions. There is no better way to discern quality and identify trends."

“We are clearly producing something very special to be recognized at this level on the world stage,” says Eau Claire Distillery President and Founder, David Farran. “It is a testament to Alberta barley that is the foundation of Parlour Gin, to the terroir of the Alberta foothills, and the importance we place on farm-to-glass production. I hope Alberta is proud that one of its own has won such a prestigious international award as the World Spirits Competition.”

Already a 2015 American Distilling Institute Award winner, Parlour Gin, is a medium gin that derives its flavourful characteristics from Eau Claire Distillery’s unique distillation technique. A recipe of natural botanicals is used to enhance the juniper berry induced dryness and to give it a special exotic nose of flowery essence, Saskatoon berries, rosehips and traditional London Dry style spices.

Produced and bottled in the building that once housed Turner Valley’s only movie theatre, Parlour Gin like all Eau Claire spirits, is handcrafted in small batches; its distinguishing character a testament to the traditional artisanal methods and ‘farm-to-glass’ philosophy practised by Eau Claire. Parlour Gin’s name reflects the great history of prohibition-era gin parlours in Turner Valley and throughout the world.

“For some time, we were receiving wonderful feedback from customers in Alberta and we thought it would be fun to see where we stood on the world stage,” explains Farran about entering the competitions. “I’m sure glad we did, as we’re now the Canada Gin Distillery of the Year.”

A silver medallion from the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition will be added to bottles of Parlour Gin in the coming weeks.

As well as Parlour Gin, Eau Claire Distillery produces Three Point Vodka; itself an Alberta Beverage Award winner, and Spring Equinox, a citrus-like clear spirit distilled from prickly pear cactus. All three can be found in liquor stores across Alberta, and are served in select restaurants and bars, as well as at the distillery’s on-site tasting room.

Alberta’s first craft single malt whisky is currently maturing in barrels at Eau Claire Distillery and will be reflective of the same exceptional quality of all the brand’s products.